Miles Lights Up the Scoreboard in the Rain

1st Half

Sterling City managed slight success on its first offensive possession in the first half, pushing the ball across midfield, but after the Bulldogs stopped the Eagles on third down, Sterling City punted the ball away. Every offensive possession after that went turnover on downs, turnover on downs, interception, and the end of the first half. The Bulldogs played excellent defense and even managed a takeaway when Jaylen Torres picked off Eagles QB Ty Turner near the end of the 2nd quarter.

On the other side of the field, Miles only failed to score on its opening possession. The Bulldogs would score a touchdown on four straight drives to end the half. Tevin Meade opened up the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown run midway through the 1st quarter. Miles implemented some trickery for its second touchdown when, out of the wildcat formation, WR Cooper Ellison took the shotgun snap and threw a fade to QB Hayven Book in the corner of the end zone on 4th down. Book scored his second touchdown of the evening when he called his own number later in the 2nd quarter for a 16-yard touchdown run. Finally, Book threw a 40+ yard bomb to Ellison for a touchdown just before the end of the half to give the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead at the break.

2nd Half

Both defenses played well to start the 2nd half. The only highlight early in the 3rd quarter came after the Eagles’ defense forced a Bulldog punt. Canyon McCabe received the kick and returned the punt 30 yards down the field to set the Eagles up with a first and ten at Miles’ 30-yard line. Miles responded two plays later. Ty Turner threw up a prayer as the Bulldogs swarmed him in the backfield. Book showed how versatile he could be on defense when he came down with the interception.

Book followed up the pick with a bomb on offense. Hit Ellison behind the defense for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Tevin Meade made his presence felt on the next play. He took a handoff and scampered 16 yards through the heart of the defense for another touchdown. After the extra point, Miles led 35-0 with 8:04 to play in the 3rd quarter.

Sterling City’s defense came up with a huge stop late in the 3rd quarter. On the precipice of another touchdown, Book dropped back to pass but could not avoid pressure and went down for the sack. Sterling City forced a 4th and goal for the 25-yard line. Miles turned the ball over on downs. However, on a night when nothing seemed to go right, the Eagles fumbled on the ensuing drive. Miles Devin Medina jumped on the loose ball, and the Bulldogs took over.

Miles scored two more touchdowns before the end of the game. The first was on a circus catch by Manuel Torres that bounced off two different players before the young man finally hauled it in. The second came with just over two minutes to play on a short run by Meade. The Bulldogs dominated this ball game from start to finish to win 48-0.

The difference makers in this game came down to the dominant performance by the defense. MIles controlled the line of scrimmage all night long and forced five takeaways. The offense took advantage at every turn to put points on the board. The Eagles fought hard but could not keep up. 

The Miles Bulldogs avenge two straight losses to the Eagles to claim the Bi-District Championship. Miles heads to the Area Round next week against the winner of Collinsville and Archer City.